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Defense Secretary Hegseth Dismisses Reports of Poor Conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln Amid Extended Deployment

Defense Secretary Hegseth Dismisses Reports of Poor Conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln Amid Extended Deployment

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected reports of deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, despite the aircraft carrier's deployment extending beyond 250 days. The Lincoln, carrying approximately 5,000 sailors, departed San Diego on November 21, 2025, and has gone over 200 days without a port call. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) raised concerns in a letter to Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, citing reports of supply shortages, contaminated water, plumbing failures, mail disruptions, and worsening mental health among the crew. The carrier's deployment was extended due to U.S. operations against Iran, with the ship being redirected to the Middle East in January after initially deploying to the Indo-Pacific. President Trump had previously described the carrier-led force as a 'massive Armada' during heightened tensions with Tehran. Hegseth, speaking to Newsmax, stated that accounts of poor conditions were 'completely misrepresented' and affirmed that the Navy ensures every...
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Philippines sees no impact on defence ties from US Middle East redeployment

Philippines sees no impact on defence ties from US Middle East redeployment

MANILA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The Philippines does not expect a reduction in military activities with its treaty ally the United States amid redeployment of some U.S. defence assets to the Middle East, an official said on Monday. 
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U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Benfold Loses Power for Four Days in South China Sea

U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Benfold Loses Power for Four Days in South China Sea

The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold experienced a four-day power outage last month while operating in the South China Sea. The incident, which occurred on July 24, was due to an engineering failure involving the warship's generators. During this period, the USS Benfold was without working toilets, galley services, and air conditioning in the high temperatures of the South China Sea, which averaged between 89 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Navy Cmdr. Matthew Comer, spokesperson for the 7th Fleet, confirmed that there were no injuries to the crew, who demonstrated resilience in their response. The cause of the power outage is currently under investigation. The USS Benfold was eventually towed to Subic Bay in the Philippines for repairs, which were completed by August 8, allowing the ship to return to duty. A second U.S. warship, the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls, provided cooked meals to the Benfold during the power loss, and other ships from the Japan-based USS George Washington Carrie...
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U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Benfold Suffers Four-Day Power Outage in South China Sea

U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Benfold Suffers Four-Day Power Outage in South China Sea

The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold experienced a four-day power outage last month while operating in the South China Sea. The incident, which occurred on July 24, was caused by an engineering failure affecting the ship's generators, according to Navy Cmdr. Matthew Comer, spokesperson for the 7th Fleet. During the outage, the USS Benfold lost critical services including functional toilets, galley services, air conditioning, and potable water, in addition to its ability to maneuver independently. The ship, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, was on routine operations in the Indo-Pacific when the failure occurred. The U.S. Navy stated that there were no injuries to the crew, who demonstrated resilience during the event. The cause of the power outage is currently under investigation. This incident marks the second power loss for a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Pacific Command's area of responsibility this year, following a similar event involving the USS Higgins in May.
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The Latest: Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea

The Latest: Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea

President Donald Trump is scaling back joint exercises with South Korea as his war against Iran stretches the limits of the U.S. military
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How U.S. military funding propelled China’s robot dogs

How U.S. military funding propelled China’s robot dogs

By Michael Martina WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - China’s Unitree Robotics – among the world's biggest producers of humanoid and quadruped robots – based designs for its most successful robot dogs on innovations funded by the U.S. military, according to a former U.S. defense technology official and
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Trump says North Korea's Kim has responded to his overtures

Trump says North Korea's Kim has responded to his overtures

By Trevor Hunnicutt and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - A day after he ordered the United States to scale back military exercises with South Korea and called North Korea "unthreatening and respectful," U.S.
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Trump says US has no talks planned with Iran and other news from the Middle East

Trump says US has no talks planned with Iran and other news from the Middle East

U.S. President Donald Trump says the U.S. has no planned talks with Iran but insists the Strait of Hormuz remains open
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The Latest: Trump calls concerns about conditions on USS Lincoln ‘fake’

The Latest: Trump calls concerns about conditions on USS Lincoln ‘fake’

President Donald Trump has downplayed reports about conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln to reporters in the Oval Office
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President Trump's Strait of Hormuz Comments Spark International Concern Amidst Iran Operations and Sanctions

President Trump's Strait of Hormuz Comments Spark International Concern Amidst Iran Operations and Sanctions

President Trump recently made statements suggesting his intention to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory following the conclusion of ongoing U.S. and Israeli combat operations against Iran, which began in February. President Trump was quoted saying, "After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated — pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States." Although the White House later indicated these comments were made in jest, the statement has drawn significant attention due to its potential implications for international law and U.S. foreign policy. These remarks come as the U.S. government continues to exert pressure on adversaries, with the recently renamed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 providing additional tools to increase pressure on Russia regarding the war in Ukraine. The act aims to impact Russia's wartime economy and its sources of foreign income, restoring Congress's role in this policy area.
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Trump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea

Trump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea

By Costas Pitas and David Lawder WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - U.S.
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As gas prices go up in Michigan, president urges people to pay it

As gas prices go up in Michigan, president urges people to pay it

Gas prices at the pump in Michigan on Monday, Aug. 17, have risen in a week an average of 11 cents a gallon.